Consularile UDMR cu castigatorii  incep (oficial) de luni.

Asteptam voturi si scenarii pe adresa redactiei

shortlink (pentru cine vrea sa dea mai departe) : http://wp.me/pBAJx-jH

mai tarziu: pornind de la procentul mic inregistrat deKelemen, mai mic decat proportia maghiarilor si decat scorurile de la legislative, Morar se intreaba daca e sfarsitul UDMR

Nu e, pt ca, pana in 2008, alegerile prezidentiale se organizau in acelasi timp cu cele legislative, si era normal sa obtina cam acelasi scor candidatul ca si partidul. Mergeau la pachet. Mai exact, candidatul era ca un ambalaj frumos colorat pentru un pachet mult mai valoros decat el.

Despartit de pachetul lui, candidatul UDMR atrage mai putine stampile. L-au votat unii ca sa isi faca auzita vocea maghiara (dupa cum ma lasa sa inteleg o prietena) , altii insa s-au orientat catre candidati romani cu sanse/care le plac mai mult. Asta nu inseamna ca la urmatoarele legislative UDMR-ul nu va putea obtine tot 6-7%.

This is my 8th time attending NYWC.  This event has become a spiritual pilgrimage of sorts to me.  I have grown so much spiritually, theologically, in youth ministry philosophy, and in methodology.  Every year at NYWC I experience some kind of paradigm shift or major growth.  In other words,  NYWC is a Game Changer.

My first year was in 2002 in Nashville with my wife.  I knew very little about Mike Yaconelli, YS, and the larger world of youth ministry.  Just attending that year changed my entire perspective on youth ministry.  I was with thousands of people dealing with the same issues and having the same heart for students as me!  And I was affirmed and celebrated for what I do and who I am.  That was life changing.

Other years have taught me about:

• spiritual formation and contemplative practices (my own and for the students in our church),
• creative ways to use video and technology in a church context (thank you John Falke for opening my world up to the wonders and fun of Photoshop!),
• exposed me to authors and speakers whose wisdom and insight have lifted me to new levels of thinking, challenged my worldview, and formed my theology…people like Donald Miller, Rob Bell, Tony Campolo, Shane Claiborne, Marko, and Mike Yaconelli.
• equipped me with real-life, practical ideas that have infused my youth ministry with creativity and freshness.

There have been years where the Game Changer came in the form of a speaker (Louie Giglio’s talk on “I know I am not, but I know I AM” still informs much in my life), an idea from a seminar or just from walking around and observing, an experience like the Prayer Room or the Labyrinth, or from a Critical Concerns Course (Rob Bell and Mike King and Michael Novelli).

But this year is different.  Every year I’ve been to NYWC, I’ve always had my wife, and for the past 6 years I’ve brought a team of adult leaders–from 2 to 7!  But due to financial reasons, I was only able to come by myself this year.  I was more than bummed about that in the weeks and days leading up to it.  Not because I’m shy about meeting new people, but because it was going to make this year (an NYWC already filled with uncertainty and change) so different.

But that is what has given me this year’s Game Changer!  The theme of this year is simple: connections…relationships…collaboration…networking.  I have met more people from around the WORLD this year, people who love Jesus and kids like I do, people who struggle with the same issues I do!

In a way it’s come full circle from my first year;  except this time, I’m not the newbie.  It shocks me to think about this…but I’m the veteran!  At least as far as NYWC’s go! I have so enjoyed getting to me people, share ideas, laugh and pray together.  From eating dinner Thursday night with 15 total strangers, to connecting with them again throughout the weekend, to Open Space Saturday, to connecting on a deeper level with another youth minister from my town…I have experienced something I probably never would have if I had brought 8 people from my youth ministry.

So here’s to a new era in my approach to youth ministry–collaboration and networking, and hopefully becoming a part of the broader conversation.  Another life-changing year at NYWC.

Last week I blogged about recording meetings and conversations as a useful tool in Student Ministry. Last weekend our leadership team held a meeting that centered around discussing Mark Ostreicher’s Youth Ministry 3.0. I posted a short review a while back in the hopes of re-reading the book and getting a more in-depth review up to share. That never happened (the posting, I did re-read it).

Anyway, I did record the meeting, and even though my kids take center stage a few times in the recording, there is a lot of useful discussion about the book. Most of it centers around how we see the major shifts at play in our church and Student Ministry, but I think there might be information that could be useful to you in your ministry.

Here are some of the things that we discovered in our discussion:

• Our church, and our student ministry program have a lot of 1.0 and 2.0 mindsets about them.
• We have a lot of church members/attenders that are willing to support the ministry financially, but not with their time.
• We have a lot of 2.0 influence in our Friday Night Flood program, from it’s evangelistic roots, to how we will bring in guest speakers to share their experiences with teens.
• Friday Night Flood also takes on a 1.0 mindset at times when we have a guest speaker who preaches to/at our teens.
• Our Sunday School program used to be very 1.0 in nature, with the teacher(s) effectively preaching to the students, and not always engaging in conversations.
• Sometimes we find ourselves in an “old school” mindset when it comes to teens and their technology by banning cell phones during the church service. We feel it might just be a 3.0 mindset to utilize that connection rather than get rid of it.
• One of the most interesting items I think we came across was the idea of our need to shift away from contacting students to get them involved in our programs. We find that far too often our contacts with students center around inviting them to plug in, rather than connecting with them to get to know them and build relationships primarily.
• We see the good things in our ministry that came out of a 1.0 or 2.0 mindset, but also see that there were a lot of negatives. We see the need to grow and shift away from those mindsets that have not been working and find something new.

I realized after one of our volunteers contacted me that I posted this audio without our team’s consent. Not a good thing. While I have edited out specific names, families and conversation elements that dove in too deep to share about our own ministry, I overlooked asking our team members if they were comfortable with sharing the audio with you. I have taken down the links. I will be asking my team if I can share it with you, and if I get the green light, those links will come back live.

I uploaded the audio to my Box.net account, but I had to break it up into 4 parts because I only have a free plan. So below are links to each file. Feel free to stream or download them, I only ask that if the discussion is useful to you in your own ministry, please let me know.

Part One -  Part Two -  Part Three -  Part Four

Ever have those moments that smack you right between the eyes? I guess they are mostly moments of realisation but sometimes they are moments that just kind of take the wind out of you, not necessarily bad, not necessarily good, just winding.

A person who I have admired greatly and has been influential in my development in youth ministry is a guy named Doug Fields. In youth ministry circles he is a bit of a guru and is best known for his Purpose Driven Youth Ministry stuff as well as Simply Youth ministry. A couple of months ago he stepped down from his role in his church for 19 years and out of his youth pastor role. He is still involved in youth ministry and its a really cool story, but it still kind of unsettles you.

Then today, well before today, a guy who I have never met face-to-face but have had email contact with named Mark Oestreicher, has been on my mind. Even yesterday on my silent retreat I felt a stirring to email him. He is a guy who blogged vehemently, passionately and personally about his struggles as president of Youth Specialties, a youth ministry training group in America, his struggles as a follower of Jesus and his struggles as a man and dad. He shut down his blog about 9 months ago to rediscover himself out of the public light. Just today I discovered he has been ‘let go’ as President of YS and has recently restarted his blog. Its powerful, its passionate, its personal. He was part of my inspiration for blogging in the first place and has always been an encouragement for me to be real.

Bam! Took the wind right out of my sails…

www.enzupray.com

www.marko-schlichting.de

www.narrhalla.de

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Marko, 20 de ani.

Madison to Juliana & Daniel

Irina  (Ella) to Natalia & Marko

Felicity (Harrison) to Clare & Craig

Teiria (M) (Nikora & Keita) to Kelly & Clint

Elliot (Charli) to Kate & Jeff

Davi (F) (Jackson) to Kait & Chris

Alex to Yanli and Yi Zhon

Mae to Tania and Lee

More information can be found here

My time is up! Hurry in to save me before it’s too late! I’ll reward you with years of love and loyalty!

Nora is rescue only because she bit an ACCAC employee. Nora needs a rescue willing to work with possible fear aggression, and ongoing, extensive socialization.  Nora has come a long way and her story starts as a sad one.  She was thought to be dead on the side of the road, but was barely alive from starvation.  The staff didn’t think she would make it over night, but somehow she pushed her way through.  Nora was just skin and bones and was nicknamed Skelatora and I decided to shorten it to Nora.  Some of the staff share a real soft spot for her and have been working to help her overcome her fear and anxiety issues.  She shows severe signs of neglect…and if someone could look past her scrawny body and fear issues she could make a good friend one day.

Update 10/30: A wonderful and caring citizen would like to donate $150 to the rescue group that saves Nora.  Please contact Allyson at athenspets@gmail.com if your licensed rescue group saves sweet Nora.

Pollo – 29268

• Age: 4-6 Months
• Breed: Jack Russell Terrier mix
• Gender: Female
• Impound Date: 10/30/09
• Ledger #: 29268
• Weight: 3 pounds

Pollo is the daughter of Marko (29267).  This tiny teacup baby is only 3 pounds and is very delicate.  She is very malnourished at the moment and could really use a home that will fatten her up and love on her.  She also has cherry eye and can be fixed with a simple surgical procedure.  Her eye has gotten worse over the past couple of days, but her eye shouldn’t be damaged. Her ears are covered in scratches and cuts, but I’m not sure what caused it and it doesn’t seem to bother her.  Pollo is more affectionate than her father…all she wants to do is cuddle.  She is pretty cold here and tries to huddle next to her father or in your arms.  Please come cuddle with this tiny baby soon.

Marko – 29267

Available!

Marko – 29267

• Age: 1 year
• Breed: Jack Russell Terrier mix
• Gender: Male
• Impound Date: 10/30/09
• Ledger #: 29267
• Weight: 18 pounds

Marko is a bouncing ball of fun here at the pound. This tiny guy isn’t alone and has brought his baby son with him too (Pollo 29268).  This guy is full of energy and will jump 4ft in the air as you are meeting him.  He shows all the typical characteristics of a Jack Russell, so this is probably an intelligent guy.  Marko walks perfect on the leash and will do anything for a little piece of cheese.  Come meet Marko and Pollo soon!

Aries – 29262

Available!

Aries – 29262

• Age: 7 years
• Breed: German Shepherd mix
• Gender: Female
• Impound Date: 10/29/09
• Ledger #: 29262
• Weight: 62 pounds

Aries is the most beautiful black German Shepherd I’ve ever seen! Aries is in need of some socialization and hugs.  She doesn’t understand why she is at the pound.  Her disposition is calm and tender.  She was submissive towards me as I leashed her, but I have to warn you if you try and walk her please be very patient with her needs. She is very scared of the leash and doesn’t understand why it has to go around her neck and pull her around…she thinks she can walk just fine on her own.  She will freeze and wont budge until you push her, but once she trusts you she will probably be a great walking buddy.  Aries loves to have her face massaged the most…she will close her eyes and melt in your hands.  She also has a permanent ear flop due to a healed old injury that broke her ear and was never properly treated. Come meet Aries and show her you can be best friends.

Let me post a few links for you to read.  Then I’ll share my thoughts.

• YS Press Release
• Thoughtful Blog on the subject

Take a moment and allow the weight of this to sink in.

Let me first say that there are far more questions than answers at this point in time, and I don’t want to speak out of ignorance.  I WANT to give Zondervan the benefit of the doubt here.  And I know there are always two sides to every story.

However, I can’t begin to imagine why in the world Zondervan would let go of (in my opinion) THE leader in the area of youth ministry thinking and visioning!  Marko is more than just the president of a company.  He is a prophet in the realm of youth ministry.  He is lightyears ahead of many people in terms of the future of youth ministry, youth culture, and the trends that shape both.

I agree with the blog I linked to above, that I’m afraid Zondervan has shot themselves in the foot…and the youth ministry world is being hit by the ricochete.

My prayers go out to Marko and his family, the entire YS staff, and all those who trully love the wonderfully messy world of youth ministry.

Maybe in the world of Youth Ministry 3.0, big name publishing houses like Zondervan will be irrelevant, and a new way of educating, inspiring, and equipping will rise up…one that involves networks of ministers, blogs, open space training, and other yet-to-be-seen methods. 

Are the events of this week a tragedy for youth ministry, or is this possibly a watershed moment that will shape the future of the youth ministry conversation much like Yac and co. did in the early days of YS?  I wait with prayerful anticipation for the latter to be true.

change is an interesting thing but today was shocked to read about the latest round of change in Youth Specialties.  The statement on their website gives little clarity but I have to hope that these changes are for the best, yet somehow the news has given me a heavy heart.  Hope those in the middle of it all, especially Marko, find hope and new direction on their journey.  Big hugs to everyone of the heroes at YS.

• 14 octombrie 2009 – JURNALUL NATIONAL: “Geoană anunţă: Johannis premier, guvern tehnocrat cu mandat limitat.“

“Liderul PSD Mircea Geoană a anunţat aseară că a avut consultări cu reprezentanţii PNL, UDMR şi ai minorităţilor naţionale în scopul identificării unei majorităţi transparente  pentru susţinerea unui nou guvern. Potrivit lui Geoană, noul Guvern va avea mandat să asigure alegeri libere şi corecte. Liderul PSD a mai spus că  au mai convenit în cadrul întâlnirii susţinerea unui premier independent şi a unui guvern format din specialişti, neangajaţi politic, cu mandat limitat, până la alegerea preşedintelui României. Liderul PSD a anunţat că astăzi va mai avea loc o runda finală de consultări, la Senat, unde va fi invitat pentru o discuţie clarificatoare şi Klaus Johannis, propus pentru postul de premier. 

Surse liberale spun că membrii viitorului guvern vor fi recrutaţi din mediul academic, din mediul universitar sau vor fi specialişti din ministere.”

• 14 octombrie 2009 – HotNews: “Crin Antonescu: Daca Johannis va fi numit premier, PNL nu va face nicio propunere pentru Executiv. Va fi  un guvern de tehnocrati.“

“Desi propunerea Klaus Johannis la functia de premier este “a PNL si a mea, intre noi ca partid si Johannis nu exista nicio legatura. (…) Daca el va fi numit, PNL nu va face niciun fel de numire, nu va propune niciun nume in acest guvern. Va fi un executiv de tehnocrati”. Declaratiile vin de la presedintele PNL Crin Antonescu, ce a precizat in urma negocierilor de la Senat ca “principiile pe baza carora am pornit discutiile, cu ceva vreme in urma, au fost respectate intocmai”.

• 14 octombrie 2009 – MondoNews: “Antonescu: Klaus Johannis este cel mai bun premier pentru Romania.“

“Am constituit aceasta coalitie conjunturala (subl. mea), pentru a gasi o solutie, cea mai buna. Klaus Johannis este cel mai bun om pe care noi il consideram pentru Romania. Daca PD-L doreste sa se alature, nu am nimic impotriva, dar in acest moment propunerea PD-L, oricare ar fi ea, nu conteaza. Klaus Johannis va forma cel mai bun Guvern pe care acum Romania il poate avea. Durata guvernului va fi in functie de performantele sale, dar si de situatia politica de dupa alegerile prezidentiale (subl. mea)“, a spus Antonescu.”

• 15 octombrie 2009 – REALITATEA: Crin Antonescu: “Dacă voi deveni preşedinte al României Klaus Johannis va deveni premier.

“Este un lucru clar pe care îl spun lui Traian Băsescu. Nu puteţi întârzia venirea lui Johannis decât până cel târziu pe 6 decembrie”, a mai spus Crin Antonescu.”

• 16 octombrie 2009 - REALITATEA: “Marko Bela: I-am propus lui Boc sa-si reanalizeze pozitia si sa-l sustina pe Johannis.“

“Preşedintele UDMR, Marko Bela, a declarat că nu respinge ideea unui guvern de uniune naţională (subl. mea), dar îl doreşte în continuare pe Klaus Johannis premier. Liderul UDMR a spus că i-a propus lui Emil Boc să îl susţină tot pe Johannis, deoarece în campania pentru prezidenţiale fiecare partid ţine să transmită un mesaj politic şi nu doreşte alianţe.”

• 14 octombrie 2009 – Infonews: Klaus Johannis: “Eu voi face propunerile de ministri dupa consultarea partidelor care ma sprijina.”

“Klaus Johannis a declarat, miercuri, că, în eventualitatea în care va fi desemnat prim ministru, va face personal nominalizările pentru funcţiile de miniştri, după ce se va consulta, însă, cu formaţiunile politice care l-au propus şi care îl sprijină (subl. mea).”

“Primul ministru desemnează miniştrii, însă nu am de gând să fac nominalizări fără consultarea tuturor formaţiunilor care doresc să mă sprijine (subl. mea). Eu voi face propunerile de miniştri”, a spus Johannis, întrebat dacă deciziile privind componenţa viitorului său Cabinet, în eventualitatea în care va fi desemnat pentru funcţia de premier, îi vor aparţine sau vor fi impuse de partidele care-l propun.”

• 15 octombrie 2009 - Ziare.com: Primarul Sibiului, Klaus Johannis, propus de PNL, PSD si UDMR ca premier al Romaniei, a declarat joi ca in cazul in care Traian Basescu il va desemna si el pentru aceasta functie nu va fi un premier de paie, ci isi va desemna singur ministri.

“In cazul in care Traian Basescu ma va desemna nu voi fi un premier de paie. Am cerut formatiunilor care ma sustin sa am primul si ultimul cuvant in desemnarea ministrilor (subl. mea). Am cerut un consiliu format numai din presedintii formatiunilor care ma sustin ca sa ne intalnim saptamanal, daca voi fi premier (subl. mea). Am mai cerut, o chestiune care mi se pare de bun simt, schimbarea termenului de 15 zile pentru a opta pentru o functie si alta. Nu sunt dispus sa merg doua luni de zile premier sa renunt la primarie dupa care sa nu am unde sa ma intorc”, a declarat joi primarul Sibiului.”

*        *

*

Aşadar, devine evident că ”majoritatea transprentă” se contrazice tot mai frecvent, devoalându-şi adevăratele intenţii… divergente, dar unanim catastrofale pentru România.

Acel “am cerut un consiliu format numai din preşedinţii formaţiunilor care mă susţin ca să ne întâlnim săptămânal, dacă voi fi premier” mi se pare elocvent în privinţa “neutralităţii” şi “tehnocraţiei” acestui premier, acestui guvern.

Ce mai reprezintă, în aceasta situaţie, soluţia minune “Klaus Johannis”?

***

© Alexandru Dan Mitache • 2009

A little over a week ago, I brought another kitten home from the WPA Humane Society. Anise “Ani” is 2 months old and weights 2 pounds. She is all white with blue eyes. Like most cats who are all white with blue eyes, Ani is deaf. I named her Anise for two reasons– one: after the anise spice, and the color that fermented anise (raki) turns when you add water, and two: after the teacher of Helen Keller, Anne Sullivan. Marko and Ani are getting along fabulously. Marko is a great big brother, and Ani adores him.

Ani and Marko

My aloe juice

I was exploring Carolyne Mistake’s blog and catching up on her latest exploits, when I read about aloe juice. The next day I was in Lotus Foods, one of the Asian grocery stores in the Strip District. I was in the checkout line with some dried cod with chili spice when I looked to my right and saw bottles of aloe juice. Well,  I had to give it a try. My verdict is that it is very tasty. It is citrusy-sweet and tastes very refreshing. There were pieces (like puply stuff) in it some, but they were really smooth, like the texture of tapioca bubbles, but shaped differently.

Marko in the rose bush

Marko has been enjoying exploring the outdoors. We take him with us out in the backyard and sometimes out front. We also got him a harness and bungee leash so we can take him further away with us. When we are outside he likes to stalk and hunt bugs and birds and sometimes, just lay in the shade or in the sun.

I took my friend Heather to the Humane Society so she could explore her options as a volunteer. She signed up for the dog walking and bunny buddy training and I signed up for bunny buddy and cat cuddler training. Then she came with me when I walked a dog, London. London was very submissive. He walked past the other dog cages with his head down and ears back. Once we got outside, he was so happy to walk. He was playful, affectionate, and loved the treats. He is really skinny, but I’m sure he’ll put on weight swiftly.

Meet London

London Broil

• LONDON - ID#A106813
• Sex: neutered male,
• Breed: Pit Bull Terrier.
• Age: 2 years and 1 month old.
• Weight: 48 pounds.

Hello again, and welcome back to the continuing adventures of me. Glad you could come on this journey with me. Let’s see what I have for you today. Well, first of all, a picture of my panther, Marko, and his sharp baby teeth!

Pantera

Awww isn’t he just ferocious? Or maybe just sleepy, who can say…

Marko has discovered that dropping his toy mouse on my head from the ledge over the bed is an effective way to wake me up in the morning. Haha. As long as it’s not a real mouse, were okay.

Today I went shopping in the strip a bit. I’ve been going to Labad’s, which is a store run by two Syrian brothers. Today I got Bulgarian feta, bulgar wheat, and sour cabbage leaves. Rado is going to make stuffed cabbage leaves. It’s like stuffed grape leaves, only better.

I went to Petco to get a bungee leash to walk Marko, I’ll let you know how that progresses. He’s still getting used to having the harness on for a little bit at a time.

Today I walked two dogs at the humane society, Candy and Moose. Candy was really slender, but I have a feeling she’ll put on some more weight quickly, because she loved the treats! She was a little shy and reserved, but very well behaved and stayed close to me the whole walk. Moose is a rottweiler mixed with something with longer fur. He is a big lap dog. I sat down on a bench and he immediately hopped up into my lap. All four legs. I’d say he weighed at least 55 pounds. He was so affectionate though, it was nice to have him on my lap for a little while. I can’t find his info up on the WPA Humane site- will check again later. John Elliff, if you read this, I thought of you and your late Moose when I had him out today.

Meet Candy

Candy girl

• CANDY - ID#A107277
• Sex: spayed female,
• Breed: Pit Bull Terrier.
• Age: 2 years and 1 month old.
• Weight: 48 pounds.

Meet Moose

big lap dog moose

Moose and Me

I haven’t been posting here in a while, so I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. In the interest of preventing a long rambling entry, I will try to summarize what I have been up to and if any of them strike you, I can go more in depth on the subject. I will start from this morning and then work my way through the month of June.

4 July 2009

The WPA Humane Society shelter was open from 9-11 today for volunteers only since it’s Independence Day, so I went to walk some dogs. The shelter has been slammed with surrenders recently, so they are really full. If you are thinking of fostering or adopting, now is the time. I walked two dogs. I walked a puppy named Ashley and a big boy named Sunny.

Ashley

ASHLEY - ID#A106689

• Sex: spayed female
• Breed: Pit Bull Terrier.
• Age: 3 months old.
• Weight: 14 pounds.

Ashley is a sweet puppy, full of puppy energy, but also very affectionate. She stayed by my legs almost the whole walk, and she loved to give kisses and sit on my lap.

Sunny

SUNNY - ID#A107037

• Sex: neutered male
• Breed: Pit Bull Terrier.
• Age: @ 1 year and 1 month old.
• Weight: 59 pounds.

Sunny has a name that suits him because he definitely has a sunny disposition. He has had a rough life and was found tied to a park bench for a couple days. But he is so friendly and full of joy now, let him bring some sunshine into your life!

Out of some of the dogs I’ve walked, Buddy, Hercules, and Dreamcicle have all been recently adopted! I have gone on two off site events with the shelter, one to Bark in the Park in Mt Washington, and one to Lucky Paws Pet Resort in Freedom, PA.

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June 1-2

We adopted a kitten from the WPA Humane Society. I came to walk dogs and it was feeding time, so I went in to visit the cats while I was waiting. The whole time I was in there, one kitten would not stop meowing the whole time except when I was at his cage. He also kept reaching his paws out thru the bars and knocked his sign off. Later that day, I brought Rado back to see him and it was love at first sight. I really think the cat picked us. His original name was Oreo, but we changed it to Marko Meowii. Oreo is still his middle name I guess. We named him Marko because our adoption counselor was named Mark and because of the Bulgarian folk hero Krali Marko. Meowii because of how vocal he is and how he made our hearts melt. We did the paperwork June 1st, but he had to be neutered still, so we got to pick him up the afternoon of June 2nd. He is a joy to have in our lives. Marko has his own blog at http://markomeow.wordpress.com

Marko and Me

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June 18th

I started a Calligraphy class today at CCAC. It is a non-credit community education course. I love it! I had been exposed to calligraphy in 7th grade and liked it then, but had no idea how many different calligraphy alphabets there are. So far we have learned Italic, and two kinds of Versals. Next week we are doing the Celtic alphabet. It is a lot of fun and I hope to incorporate it into my poetry and make my  poetry as much a visual art as a literary art.

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June 22nd

I have started playing tennis. Surprisingly I am not atrociously terrible at it. Rado and I have been playing in the park and we are both learning, so we don’t get a lot of volley back and forth, but are happy when we hit it. We have my parents rackets, which everyone who saw them had to comment on how old they were. They are heavy wooden rackets probably from the late 70s, early 80s. They still work just fine, thank you. They are both WIlson rackets, one “Chris Evert Personal” and the other “Stan Smith Pro Cup” Rado bought me a more lightweight racket at a church yard sale down the street. It works pretty good too. It’s titanium and is a Wilson Rak Attack Jr.

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June 23-25

Went to Ohio to help my brother with the dogs. Took Akira in my Dad’s car to the park, and walked Shiro around the neighborhood.

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June 27th

We had dinner at the neighbors across the street. It was a very international dinner with one of our hosts being from France, and of the guests a couple- one from France, one from Italy- and a couple from Senegal. Rado played his accordion and everyone danced or played maracas and clapped. It was really fun. We hope to have more evenings like that.

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June 28th

We had some people over to watch the Confederation Cup Final- U.S.A vs Brazil. U.S.A dominated in the first half, but Brazil recovered in the second half and overtook the U.S. 3-2. I was very impressed with how good the U.S. team is getting. Our goalie is especially superb. I hope it makes soccer/(football to the rest of the world) more popular here.

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Random: Other than that, I’ve been working a lot, riding my bike, playing with Marko, playing with my Burmese nephews, trying to blog at my new funk music blog http://trufunksoulja.wordpress.com , sketching and drawing more, writing, reading, and trying to enjoy life. Until next time,

Excelsior!

It seems that Twente 20 year old Marko Arnautovic has flown from Vienna to Holland to convince the Dutch club president to sell him to Inter. The executive has rassured the player,

but the situation seems to be stucked. Inter would like to obtain the Austria national on loan and start paying him when he will start to play again,

while Twente would prefer to cure him and sell him definetely once he is recovered. For the moment Inter vice president Ghelfi has decided not to meet the Dutch executives next monday.

La Gazzetta Dello Sport